Aspiring writers often wonder where they can get ideas for their books. I wondered myself at one time but now ideas seem to flow easily and my only problem is not having enough time to get them all down.

For me, the secret is to just write. That’s it. Plain and simple.

Pick up a pen, or open a blank document on your writing device of choice, and just begin.

It doesn’t have to make sense at first. That will come in time. The important thing is to develop the habit.

Write about your day. Write as much detail as you can remember. Write your feelings and thoughts. When you have done this, you will have written your first story!

Write about a happy experience or a sad one. Pour out your feeling on the page. Don’t worry about spellings, grammar, syntax or any of that boring stuff. There will be time for all of that later. Just get it written.

Use the beauty of nature for inspiration. Just let the words flow.

Barley Lake, Co Cork

Use historic buildings to stimulate your imagination. Who might have lived here? When? What did they do? Write a list of questions and then try to answer them.

Muckross Abbey, Co Kerry

Use funny pictures, scenes or sightings to help you create a story.

Gracie, my pony, waiting patiently outside my front door

The ideas are endless. Look around and write about life, love, past, future, night, day.

Get your words down on paper – and when you do, I’d love to read them!

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